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UFC: Thiago Silva Suspended One Year

Hulking light heavyweight out for year with suspension

Thiago Silva was suspended one year and fined for providing a synthetic urine sample to the Nevada State Athletic Commission after his UFC 125 win over Brandon Vera.

Silva was fined 20% of his $55,000 purse and $20,000 of his $55,000 win bonus. His suspension was retroactively dated to January 1st, which means that Silva can apply for a new license on January 2nd, 2012.

Silva told the commission that he secured the synthetic urine from ClearTest.com. He poured the urine into his testing vial while the NSAC inspector stood behind him. Silva said that three herniated discs in his back caused him a great deal of pain during training camp.

The commission admitted that their inspectors were at fault for not catching the cheating process.

Vera was released from his UFC contract following loss, but was brought back to the organization when it became clear that Silva’s drug results were shady.